It’s finally here, well mostly. The Pac 12 media deal is a primary streaming one with incentives.
“The [Apple] deal is a primary streaming deal…the money, although initially may be below where the Big 12 is expected to start…there’s potential through subscriptions via Apple TV to go past that Big 12 number.” – Pete Thamel pic.twitter.com/tCby263NNK
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) August 1, 2023
The question we’re all wondering is will the Pac 12 members take it?
It all depends on where the number starts in my opinion.
If it is below $25 Million, I think that is the end of the Pac 12.
If it starts at $25 Million – $30 Million with the possibility to get to $35 or $40 Million, then there is a shot. Remember the Pac12 Network still adds a couple million to the Pac12 bottom line.
The problem is a subscription-based streaming model with almost no linear is a risk. Had the split been 50/50 with ESPN or FOX or even 75 Apple / 25 Linear, I think this is an easier sell.
Just on the surface, this doesn’t look like something the Pac 12 members would be thrilled about, but while the 4 corner schools have the Big 12 option, and Oregon and Washington are probably headed toward the Big 10, that leaves 4 Pac 12 schools without a home.
That’s a shame too because Stanford, Cal, Oregon State, and Washington St are legit athletic programs. Stanford had a top 5 football team as recently as 2015. Oregon State won the baseball national championship in 2018.
Right now I’m taking 3 to 1 odds that the Pac 12 members are turning down this deal.
